A common trait found in health care professionals is a willingness to go above and beyond to care for their patients. While some may find this a challenge when dealing with a high volume of potential patients, Amelia de los Reyes, director of quality improvement/clinical health informatics at UA’s Student Health Center and Pharmacy, strives to be a mother figure to all UA students.
Throughout her 45-year career, de los Reyes has worked hard to provide the best health care possible for her patients, which now includes more than 38,300 UA students. Prior to taking her current position, she spent the majority of her nursing career in leadership positions and teaching nurses and other medical professionals.
“I’ve always tried to live a virtuous life,” said de los Reyes. “I believe I was blessed with the ability to serve others.”
De los Reyes, who earned her Master of Science in nursing from the Capstone College of Nursing and is currently working on her Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership for Nurse Educators at UA, has been at the forefront of teaching innovative health care practices throughout her career. She was one of the first to train UA nursing students and nursing staff how to use electronic medical records at DCH Regional Medical Center and UA’s Student Health Center, as well as implement telemedicine to reach rural Alabamians in need of mental care, school-based asthma education and diabetes self-management education.
In addition, de los Reyes led the team that started UA’s flu vaccination campaign. The annual campaign offers free flu vaccinations to UA students, faculty, staff and immediate family of faculty and staff.
In her current role, de los Reyes aims to be a loving figure to her patients and their parents. Although not advised to do so, she proudly gives her cell phone number to UA students and parents, and encourages them to call her if there is an issue.
“I believe students are completely taken care of here at SHC,” said de los Reyes. “We are their medical home away from home. They know that they have someone who cares about them and that they are treated kindly.”
Aside from her work at SHC, de los Reyes is a member of the Capstone College of Nursing’s Board of Visitors and volunteers with Yea, Alabama! during UA’s Week of Welcome. She said she loves meeting new students and leading by example when it comes to being a UA advocate.
“I’m only one person but if I can make a difference for the University, then why not?”
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